As one of the facility’s regular bus drivers, Mr Bardakos has given the residents a chance to go on regular outings and experience an enriching activity program.

He has also shown interest in the wellbeing of male residents, and launched the ‘Kafenio’ initiative, which is a weekly occurrence that significantly adds to the social and cultural environment of the facility.

The coffee activity is a chance for the men to meet, chat and play games, while also encouraging them to discuss issues that they might not feel comfortable talking about in the open. It has done wonders for the participants mental health and due to its success, has been implemented in the other Fronditha Care facilities

Mr Bardakos was touched by the recognition, and said it was “a momentous occasion” for him. It has been a year of accolades for Mr Bardakos, who was also named Volunteer of the Year at the annual 2016 ACSA Aged Care Awards.

Fronditha Care would like to thank Mr Bardakos on his selfless commitment to the organisation and its much loved residents, for whom he has become a close friend and confidant.

Tassos visits ANESI every day, without fail, including weekends. What is noted is that he knows all residents by name and he greets them individually. He also knows their personal stories and conditions, and enquiries after their wellbeing.

During both Awards ceremonies Tassos stated that as a volunteer he not only gives, but also receives a lot of love from the elderly.

Another Fronditha Care volunteer, Dinos Diamantopoulos, also received the ACSA 2016 Volunteer Finalist Certificate, as recognition for his wonderful contribution to STORGI, Templestowe. Dinos, amongst other initiatives, drives the bus of STORGI and uses his community network to organise the attendance and participation of our residents at various Greek social clubs.

In December 2015, Jim was awarded the Certificate for Meritorious Service by the Victorian Government for his volunteer contributions of over fifty years. Following his arrival in Australia in 1955, from 1959 Jim was extremely active in the community being a founding member of the Pan-Arcadian Association, coordinating the first Greek community radio station, being Secretary of the first Greek soccer club “Hellenic” in Darwin, a member of the Australian Civil Defence Corps and a CFA volunteer and a volunteer counsellor with Lifeline.

In 2000, he embarked upon his Fronditha Care volunteer journey, serving on the Board of Directors for over 8 years and still contributing today by providing support to the lifestyle and activities programs of Fronditha Care Clayton STEYI-PRONIA-GALINI.

His contribution to Fronditha Care has been outstanding and we believe him to be a worthy recipient of the award. We wish him and his family all the very best.